Telephone-dial protector



' June 12,1928

- 1,673,055 J. w. SMITH TELEPHONE DIAL PROTECTOR,

Filed Dec. 10. 1926 Patented June 12, 1928. p I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH w. smrrn, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 'ro serum. 2. CONNOR, or MAPLEWOOD, N W JERSEY.

TELEPHONE-DIAL PROTECTOR.

Application filed December 10, 1926. Serial No. 153,805.

The object of my invention is to afford simple but effective means whereby the calland arrangement of parts described and claimed, a distinctive feature being a lockable dial cover hinge-mounted on a clamping band, as and for the reasons hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying. drawings I illustrate a practical embodiment of the essentlal features of my invention as applied to a dial telephone of well known type, although I do not limit myself to the identical form and construction of the component parts of the dial protector shown by way of exemplification, since changes may be made in minor details, and equivalent mechanical expedients resorted to with like results, and without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention in this respect.

With this understanding:-

Fig. 1, represents a side elevation of a dial telephone equipped with my protector;

Fig. 2, is a top view of the dial, casing and protector with the cover in open position;

Fig. 3, is an elevation of the dial casing and a section of the protector taken upon line 33, Fig. 1.

As is usual where the telephone is installed with a signal dial and mechanism, the casing C, containing said dial and operative parts is attached to the base A, of the supporting standard, as indicated in Fig. 1, of the drawings, in which R, represents the receiver and T, the transmitter.

The dial protector consists essentially of a cover plate P, hinge-connected with a retaining band B, which is rigidly attached to the dial casing C, and is provided with means for locking said cover plate in closed position. I

Preferably the retaining band B, is made in the form of a circumscribing strap of suitable material the ends I), b, of which extend outward radially and are rigidly secured together, as by means of a screw 8, and nut without resort to n, the two said endsb, 6, being formed with coincident perforations b, for the reception of the bow l, of a padlock L, or equivalent locking device, as may be found most expedient,said two protuberant ends b, b, of the band B, thus constituting a staple b", for engagement with a hasp h, hinged to the cover plate P.

An important feature in the construction of the retaining band B, is its formation with an inturned bottom flange 12 for con tactual engagement with the bottom of the dial casing C, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3, of the drawings, said flange b thus safeguarding the retaining band B, against possibility of detachment from the casing C, when applied thereto as above stated.

My telephone dial protector, thus constructed and arranged, may be quickly and conveniently applied to the dial casing skilled labor; and when thus installed affords ample security against improper or unauthorized dialling or use of the telephone when the cover P, is closed and locked, whereas, when the, cover is raised, access may be had, as usual, to the signal dial, etc. For instance the use of the signal dial may be prevented after ofiice hours, or against use by servants or others unauthorized by the individual subscriber,thus protecting him against unnecessary and. im proper expense, especially where long distance telephone calls are involved; and thus security may be attained without interference with incoming messages.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A telephone dial protector of the character designated, comprising a retaining band secured to the casing containing the dial and signal mechanism, a cover plate hinged to said retaining band, and locking means for securing said cover plate in closed position, said retaining band being formed with a portion for contactual engagement with the back of said casing substantially in the manner and for thepurpose set forth.

2. A telephone dial protector of the character designated, comprising a retaining band secured to the casing containing the dial and signal mechanism, a cover plate hinged to said retaining band, and locking means for securing said cover plate in closed position, said retaining band being formed with an inturned flange for contactual engagement with the under side of said casing, for the purpose and substantially in the manner set forth.

3. In combination with a telephone dial of the character designated, a cover plate having a hinged connection with the casing of said telephone dial, and means for locking said cover plate in closed position, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4. A telephone dial protector of the character designated, comprising a retaining band attached to the casing containing the dial and signal mechanism, said band being formed with a protuberant staple, a cover plate hinged ,to said retaining band and formed with a hasp adapted to engage with said staple and a padlock for securing said staple and hasp in interlocked relationship, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

5. A telephone dial protector of the character designated, comprising a retaining clamp consistin of a circular band formed with coinci ent perforated staple flange ends and also formed with an inturned flange for contactual engagement with the under side of the casing containing the dial and signal'mechanisxn, means for rigidly securing said flanged staple ends of the clamping band together, a cover plate hinged to said retaining band and formed with a hasp adapted to engage with said staple ends of the retaining band, and a lock for securing said stapleends and hasp in interlocked relationship, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

6. A telephone dial protector of the character designated, comprising a body portion adapted to engage the casing of the dial and signal mechanism at its back, a cover pivoted to said body portion and adapted to be swung over the face of said casing, and means to lock said cover to said body portion, thus enclosing the dial or signal mechanism and preventing dialling.

JOSEPH W. SMITH. 

